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Page 20 ISSUE 147 Friday 11th MARCH, 2016 EXPERTS WARN HIGH SUGAR DIET AS DAMAGING TO THE BRAIN AS EXTREME STRESS stress or abuse, increase the risk of poor mental health and psychiatric disorders later in life. stress were smaller at weaning, but this difference disappeared over time. “The number of traumatic “Rats consuming sugar in both events – accidents; witnessing an injury; bereavement; natural disasters; physical, sexual and emotional abuse; domestic violence and being a victim of crime – a child is exposed to is associated with elevated concentrations of the major stress hormone, cortisol. “There is also evidence that childhood maltreatment is associated with reduced brain volume and that these changes may be linked to anxiety. “Looking at rats, we examined whether the impact of early life stress on the brain was exacerbated by drinking high volumes of sugary drinks after weaning. “As females are more likely to experience adverse life events, we studied female Sprague-Dawley rats. “To model early life trauma or abuse, after rats were born half of the litters were exposed to limited nesting material from days two to nine after birth. “They then returned to normal bedding until they were weaned. “The limited nesting alters maternal behaviour and increases groups (control and stress) ate more calories over the experiment. “The rats were followed until they were 15 weeks old, and then their brains were examined. “As we know that early life stress can impact mental health and function, we examined a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for both memory and stress. “Four groups of rats were studied – control (no stress), control rats drinking sugar, rats exposed to stress, and rats exposed to stress who drank sugar. “We found that chronic consumption of sugar in rats who were not stressed produced similar changes in the hippocampus as seen in the rats who were stressed but not drinking sugar. “Early life stress exposure or sugar drinking led to lower expression of the receptor that binds the major stress hormone cortisol, which may affect the ability to recover from exposure to a stressful situation. “Another gene that is important for the growth of nerves, Neurod1, and the impact of the sugar is worrying as it may affect brain development, although further work is required to test this. “In this study, combining sugar intake and early life stress did not produce further changes in the hippocampus, but whether this remains the case over time is unclear. “The changes in the brain induced by sugar are of great concern given the high consumption anxiety in the offspring later in was also reduced by both sugar of sugar-sweetened beverages, life. “At weaning, half the rats were given unlimited to access to lowfat chow and water to drink, while their sisters were given chow, water and a 25 per cent sugar solution that they could choose to drink. “Animals exposed to early life and stress. “Other genes important for the growth of nerves were investigated, and just drinking sugar from a young age was sufficient to reduce them. “The rats were exposed to high sugar intakes during development, with particularly high consumption in children aged nine to 16 years. “If similar processes are at play in humans to what was found in our rat study, reducing the consumption of sugar across the community is important. In light of mounting evidence indicating the link between a high sugar diet and ill health, it is now widely accepted that more should be done to encourage people to reduce their consumption of sugar. Many interest groups are pushing for the imposition of a “sin tax” on sweet drinks, and dietary guidelines in the US and UK have been tightened to reflect the changing scientific evidence. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than 10 percent of a person’s daily energy should come from added sugars, or those found naturally in juices and honey, which equates to around 50g or 12 teaspoons a day. And while the links between a high-sugar diet and obesity, with all its accompanying ills, are well documented, experts are now turning their attention to the other ways sugar can affect the body. In a recent study, a team at the University of New South Wales concluded that sugar is as damaging to the brain as extreme stress or abuse. Research associate Jayanthi Maniam and professor of pharmacology Margaret Morris were involved in the study and discussed their findings with The Conversation: “The changes we observed to the region of the brain that controls emotional behaviour and cognitive function were more extensive than those caused by extreme early life stress,” they revealed. “It is known that adverse experiences early in life, such as extreme 4 TOP FOODS TO BOOST YOUR BRAINPOWER 1. Curry Curry contains turmeric, a spice that in turn contains the anti-inflammatory antioxidant curcumin. Curcumin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which is one reason why it holds promise as a neuroprotective agent in a wide range of neurological disorders. Research has shown that curcumin may help inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, as well as break up existing plaques.1 Curcumin has even been shown to boost memory and stimulate the production of new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. A word to the wise… some curry powders may contain very little curcumin compared to straight turmeric powder, so choose the latter for the best health benefits. 2. Broccoli and Cauliflower Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of choline, a B vitamin known for its role in brain development. Choline intake during pregnancy “super-charged” the brain activity of animals in utero, indicating that it may boost cognitive function, improve learning and memory, It may even diminish age-related memory decline and your brain’s vulnerability to toxins during childhood, as well as conferring protection later in life.3 Eggs and meat are among the best food sources of choline. 3. Walnuts Walnuts are good sources of plant-based omega-3 fats, natural phytosterols and antioxidants, and have been shown to reverse brain aging in older rats. DHA, in particular, is a type of omega-3 fat that’s been found to boost brain function and even promote brain healing, although it’s more plentiful in animal-based omega-3 sources, like krill, as opposed to walnuts. 4. Crab One serving of crab contains more than your entire daily requirement of phenylalanine, an amino acid that helps make the neurotransmitter dopamine, brain-stimulating adrenaline and noradrenaline and thyroid hormone, and may help “The fact that drinking sugar or exposure to early life stress reduced the expression of genes critical for brain development and growth is of great concern. “While it is impossible to perform such studies in humans, the brain circuits controlling stress responses and feeding are conserved across species. “People who were exposed to early life trauma have changes in the structure of their hippocampus. In humans, those consuming the most ‘western’ diet had smaller hippocampal volumes, in line with data from animal models. “Taken together, these findings suggest future work should consider possible long-term effects of high sugar intake, particularly early in life, on the brain and behaviour.” fight Parkinson’s disease. Crab is also an excellent source of brainboosting vitamin B12.
ISSUE 147 Friday 11th MARCH, 2016 Page 21 Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1. Sysadmin 6. A hemispherical roof 10. Egg-shaped 14. Neighborhood 15. Mimics 16. Drill 17. Onyx 18. Mongol hut 19. City in Peru 20. Beggar 22. Computer symbol 23. Arid 24. Speaks 26. Circle fragments DOWN 1. Smack 2. Eastern discipline 3. Glance over 4. Pledge 5. Supplications 6. Dreamlike musings 7. Luxurious 8. No more than 9. Anagram of “Russet” 10. Destroy completely 11. Vocalization 12. Knight’s “suit” 13. Inclines 21. Requires 25. Russian emperor 26. Does something 27. A chess piece 28. Hint 29. Fortify 34. Void 36. Frozen 37. Countertenor 38. Appear 40. Bit of gossip 30. Poetic dusk 31. South southeast 32. A young male horse 33. A romantic meeting 35. Operatic solos 39. Sightseeing industry 41. Any amazing occurrence 43. Shooting sport 44. Absorbs 46. French for “Head” 47. Born as 49. Faster than light 50. Biblical kingdom 42. A small island 45. Umbrage 48. Artists’ workstands 51. Water balloon sound 52. Bully 53. Put out 51. A symbol of disgrace 54. Feudal estate 56. Publicize 57. Loud 63. Verdant 64. Sea eagle 65. Fine thread 66. Chills and fever 67. Not more 68. Painful grief 69. Not now 70. Views 71. Horse 55. Bends 58. Tall woody plant 59. Violent disturbance 60. Small island 61. Maguey 62. Egghead ANSWERS TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE HOROSCOPES aries libra You can suddenly feel you are freed A greater sense of self confidence from pressures that have been with decisions can start to take there since January. Put your focus shape now and go on to late May. on the future to late May though be This can be particularly so with any aware that you will then have pressures financial situations you might have return. There is much that will not be fully evi- been dealing with since January. From now to your dent just yet and this is why you need to let matters birthday deal with details carefully when it comes to take their own course while paying careful attention. things you want to bring to an end. Small steps are best. taurus Interactions with others since January have been a relatively open exercise even with challenges that may have arisen. From now to late May others can become more mysterious, making it difficult to know exactly where you stand. You can realise different priorities need to take shape based on what can logically be enjoyed. gemini Interaction with others will now begin to step up a notch or two until late May. Commitment from others is something you need to be mindful about. Don’t be tempted to presume it will simply go with the circumstances. Don’t simply look at matters, as you want to see them. You do not want your future security threatened. cancer Greater focus on your health and particularly your fitness level should begin now and be kept up to late May. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, it might pay to do so. Careful planning with daily matters needs to be adhered to – future opportunities can certainly exist but will not be fulfilled without good routines. leo The level of attention you have put into getting a good foundation in place since January will now have a lot to do with the benefits to gain or the enjoyment you get from it to late May. Uncertainties others experience could put you under pressure. Be cautious about how you respond to this financially or you could lose money. virgo Some very interesting, even profound situations can arise from now until your birthday in your dealings with others. This will have much to do with new directions generated by them and how you decide to respond. You need to take action in putting things in place for your own stability and security from now until late May. 12 31 3 17 28 25 12 3 16 22 35 28 28 3 5 12 16 14 12 25 36 10 14 32 33 28 32 12 10 3 14 25 18 12 36 3 scorpio A new 2 year cycle has been shaping up in your life since January, though there will be some rethinking on this to do later. Finances will now become your focus until late May. There will be a need to include a degree of practicality, which might also include limitation. This will set the stage for reconsidering new directions later. sagittarius You should start to feel much better about matters that involve you, with Mars moving into your sign, where it will stay until 28th May. This generates a new 2 year cycle, though there will be a second stage to this later, which is most unusual. You will feel more energetic and confident now. It is imperative that you are responsible. capricorn You will need to find time to withdraw from now to late May to enable consideration of priorities. This is an excellent period for you to gather information, learn or refresh yourself with skills that you consider will be helpful in the long term. Your intentions would be better kept to yourself, as you won’t know whom you can trust. aquarius Pressure that you have had to deal with since January, regarding obligations, can ease now, though they will return after late May. Up until then you need to put your energy into looking at priorities that will sustain you over the long term. Pay close attention to your finances – don’t let others drain them, one way or another. pisces The Solar Eclipse this week takes place in your sign, heralding significant new beginnings over the next 6 months. This will involve other people and you should be mindful of them lowering things in some way. Your focus, to late May, needs to be kept upon commitments you have to be prepared to accept that are in your best interests. 12.28.5.25.33.22 16.32.14.28.10.12 31.5.3.17.22.35
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